As an amatuer US History buff I find the War Between The States to be the most interesting period in US history. Here is a short list of my favorite Civil war generals. (As a Connecticut Yankee I realize the list is a bit one-sided, I'd appreciate it if any of you Southern AO'ers would add their additions/comments).
Difference of opinion is welcome, though try not to flame thanks.....
Yanks:
****OK first off my all time favorite*********
1st Lt Aaron Lanfare of Co B 1st Ct. Cavalry. Awarded the COMH at Sailor's Creek Virgina in April 1865 for the capture of flag of the 11th Florida Inf.. He also happens to be my Great Great Great Grandfather. 
1. John Buford. IMO largely responsible for bringing Union Cav up to par (and arguably surpassing) Southern cavalry. For the first 2-2/12 years of the war Yankee Cavalry was being soundly whipped and outridden by Reb Cavalry. It wasnt until 1863 where more agressive generals like Buford and Kilpatrick were promoted, and the gap between blue and grey was lessened.
2. Phil Kearny. One of the few Union Generals equally respected by the North and South for his fighting prowess. KIA after running into Confederate lines (Confederate. General A.P. Hill even stated "Fighting Phil" deserved better than to die in the mud.) Aggresive and Brave. Was probably the most experienced Union General at the start of the War.
3. General Meade. IMO very underated. Preformed very calmly during the battle of Gettysburg after only receiving command of the Army of the Potomac a few days before. Major shortfall was he was eclipsed by Grant and was not very diplomatic and had more than a few enemies. (To his credit I believe he was of the very few Union generals not intimidated by Lee).
4. General Grant. Perfect foil to Lee. Most of his credit came after he joined the Army of the Potomac but his earlier Western campaigns were even more impressive imo. Also one of the few not intimidated by Lee. His refusal to gloat or grandstand after Appomatoxx was a tribute to his charactor as well.
5. Joshua Chamberlain. Just a very interesting charactor. Seems more of a Pacifist than a Fighting man. A Proffesor with no prior military experience, but posessing a firm grip on tactics and leadership. Wounded 4 times and earned the COMH at Little Round Top.
6. Phil Sheridan. Tough little bugger. Brave and aggressive. Would threaten to whip any Rebel army facing him and almost always did.
Rebs:
1. Robert E. Lee. The best General in American History---bar none. He regularly divided his numericaly inferior forces, attack and win. (This is usually a big military mistake but he almost always was sucessful). One of the few Generals who was held in awe and utmost respect by both sides! Almost won the war with an army both numerically and materially inferior.
2. "Stonewall" Jackson Lee's Lightening bolt. Drove his men hard and fought hard. How can an Army not stand fast after hearing Jackson say something like this?--- "Then Sir, We will give them the Bayonet"!
IMO also the best Last Words ever quoted: "Let cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees."
3. Jubal Early. Salty and tough. Had a habit of not making too many friends. Got closer to Washington DC than any other Conferderate General. Lincoln observed the skirmish between Early's boys and the the VI Corps (I think) just outside of Washington DC.
4. Longstreet. IMHO underrated. Performed flawlessly in nearly every campaign he was in. Very capable as a right arm to Lee. Doesnt get too much credit I think because he occasionaly disagreed with Lee.
Just wanted to add Im equally proud of both North and South. It doesnt matter if you are from Maine or Alabama all should be remembered and honored equally as fellow Americans.
I could have added much more comments to all of these above but I wanted to keep the post short. Could have added more Leaders too! (Sherman, Farragut, AP Hill, Stuart, Sedgwick among others)
Difference of opinion is welcome, though try not to flame thanks.....
Yanks:
****OK first off my all time favorite*********
1st Lt Aaron Lanfare of Co B 1st Ct. Cavalry. Awarded the COMH at Sailor's Creek Virgina in April 1865 for the capture of flag of the 11th Florida Inf.. He also happens to be my Great Great Great Grandfather.
1. John Buford. IMO largely responsible for bringing Union Cav up to par (and arguably surpassing) Southern cavalry. For the first 2-2/12 years of the war Yankee Cavalry was being soundly whipped and outridden by Reb Cavalry. It wasnt until 1863 where more agressive generals like Buford and Kilpatrick were promoted, and the gap between blue and grey was lessened.
2. Phil Kearny. One of the few Union Generals equally respected by the North and South for his fighting prowess. KIA after running into Confederate lines (Confederate. General A.P. Hill even stated "Fighting Phil" deserved better than to die in the mud.) Aggresive and Brave. Was probably the most experienced Union General at the start of the War.
3. General Meade. IMO very underated. Preformed very calmly during the battle of Gettysburg after only receiving command of the Army of the Potomac a few days before. Major shortfall was he was eclipsed by Grant and was not very diplomatic and had more than a few enemies. (To his credit I believe he was of the very few Union generals not intimidated by Lee).
4. General Grant. Perfect foil to Lee. Most of his credit came after he joined the Army of the Potomac but his earlier Western campaigns were even more impressive imo. Also one of the few not intimidated by Lee. His refusal to gloat or grandstand after Appomatoxx was a tribute to his charactor as well.
5. Joshua Chamberlain. Just a very interesting charactor. Seems more of a Pacifist than a Fighting man. A Proffesor with no prior military experience, but posessing a firm grip on tactics and leadership. Wounded 4 times and earned the COMH at Little Round Top.
6. Phil Sheridan. Tough little bugger. Brave and aggressive. Would threaten to whip any Rebel army facing him and almost always did.
Rebs:
1. Robert E. Lee. The best General in American History---bar none. He regularly divided his numericaly inferior forces, attack and win. (This is usually a big military mistake but he almost always was sucessful). One of the few Generals who was held in awe and utmost respect by both sides! Almost won the war with an army both numerically and materially inferior.
2. "Stonewall" Jackson Lee's Lightening bolt. Drove his men hard and fought hard. How can an Army not stand fast after hearing Jackson say something like this?--- "Then Sir, We will give them the Bayonet"!
IMO also the best Last Words ever quoted: "Let cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees."
3. Jubal Early. Salty and tough. Had a habit of not making too many friends.
Got closer to Washington DC than any other Conferderate General. Lincoln observed the skirmish between Early's boys and the the VI Corps (I think) just outside of Washington DC. 4. Longstreet. IMHO underrated. Performed flawlessly in nearly every campaign he was in. Very capable as a right arm to Lee. Doesnt get too much credit I think because he occasionaly disagreed with Lee.
Just wanted to add Im equally proud of both North and South. It doesnt matter if you are from Maine or Alabama all should be remembered and honored equally as fellow Americans.
I could have added much more comments to all of these above but I wanted to keep the post short. Could have added more Leaders too! (Sherman, Farragut, AP Hill, Stuart, Sedgwick among others)
, j/k ummm. you cant really say that the numbers really didnt matter, and you also cannot say that we were doomed from the end considering we won the first several battles
:dance: 
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